Merlin Crossley

I have been doing molecular biology since 1985 and been in academic administration since 2004. I continue to run a large laboratory and to teach at UNSW Sydney.

My laboratory http://www.crossleylab.unsw.edu.au/ works on DNA-binding proteins that facilitate epigenetic changes to turn genes on and off. We are interested in developing ways to artificially regulate the expression of particular genes. For instance, recently we have used CRISPR and other gene editing approaches to introduce beneficial mutations to boost the output of medically important genes. Such technologies may be useful in treating particular genetic diseases of the blood, like sickle cell anemia, and of metabolism, such as diabetes and obesity.

I enjoy teaching and give lectures in the area of molecular biology, genomics, epigenetics, stem cells, genetic reprogramming and genome editing.

I have written extensively on modern molecular genetics and on science teaching and education policy.

Experience

2017–present

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, University of New South Wales

2016–present

Deputy National Secretary, Rhodes Scholarships Australia

2017–present

Advisory Committee, Australian Astronomical Obersvatory

2016–present

Editorial Board Member, BioEssays

2016–present

Editorial Board Member, The Conversation

2012–present

Trust Member, Australian Museum

2010–present

Professor of Molecular Biology, University of New South Wales

2013–present

Deputy Chair , Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)

2015–present

Board Member, NewSouth Publishing

2015–present

Chair, Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Research Evaluation Committee for Biology and Biotechnology

2016–present

Board Member, UNSW Global

2016–2017

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, University of New South Wales

2010–2017

Board Member, Sydney Institute of Marine Science

2011–2016

Board Member, New South Innovations (now UNSW Innovations)

2010–2015

Dean of Science, University of New South Wales

2011–2015

Council Member, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia

2009–2009

Associate Dean Research Strategy, University of Sydney

1995–2009

Lecturer to Professor of Molecular Biology, University of Sydney

2006–2008

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, University of Sydney

2005–2006

Director of Research, College of Sciences and Technology, University of Sydney